Fair fast approaching

Posted on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 03:28

I have certainly been MIA for a long time. The spring/summer just gets so busy for us that I don't get much computer time let alone blogging time.

The quick version...

We got the garden planted, not as much as a couple of years ago.. but a manageable amount for me. Tomatoes, green peppers, banana peppers, dill, cilantro, corn, beans, cukes, zucchini. The red raspberries gave us a couple of handfuls as did the strawberries.

I made violet jelly early on from violets in the yard. The color is gorgeous and I am entering it in the county fair. The wild black raspberries gave a great yield this year and I have made 2 batches of jam so far. I also have gobs of mulberries in the freezer to make jelly with when I have time. I am awaiting the blackberries to come in. I am doing a blackberry jam for the fair as well.

Green beans started coming in well so later this week I should be able to can my first batch.

I am trying my hand at chevre (goat milk cheese) cheesecake to enter in the fair. So far I haven't had a great turn out, but I am not that experienced with cheesecakes either. I tried a lime cheesecake first. Looking for something else as I wasn't too sure about it. It was ok.. but not what you think of in a cheesecake.

Ironic my last post was about our new dog Sequioa and how we had the Bichons. Well we cleaned out the bichon's kennel area and that freed up the fence and they got out. My girl Sadie was always running toward the road, just this magnetic attraction. Well before we knew it, on day one I was coming home from 4-H and I thought I saw her hit by a car in the road. DH went and checked it out. When he didn't come back for a long time we knew. So Sadie was with us about 5 years and just didn't transition to being a country dog very well. With 35 acres you would think she would enjoy the running around, but she wasn't content to stay out of the road. We were definately sad about it. Sequioa on the other hand is very smart and is learning commands like 'house' when we want her to go back to the porch. She doesn't venture to the road and stays back, just like a good farm dog should do.

4-H starts on July 26th. We are getting geared up for showing animals. The kids just went yesterday for the miscellaneous judging. They got A's on their projects and had a great time. They also participated in a skill athon which we will hear later on how they did.

So that is the short update. Hopefully I will be back on before another month goes by

Melanie

answers to my post

Posted by mom2zjh on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 04:03 - Link

Hi Melanie, I have missed you. Sounds like you all have been very busy! Would love to see pics of all the growing farm criiters..children included :) Sorry to hear about your dog. Here are my answers..you did very well.

1. Anahiem pepper
2. asparagus
3. blackberry
4. brussel sprouts
5. carrots
6. cherries
7. corn
8. Dog wood leaf already turning
9. hibiscus
10. honeysuckle
11, romaine
12. rose petal
13. yellow squash
14. strawberry
15. tomato
16. zinnia

sorry about Sadie

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 04:26 - Link

Hi Melanie,
Sorry to hear about Sadie. I know she was special to you & the kids. Praying for you all!

Cindy